Log Portable workstation

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Just ordered: Raijintek Orcus 140 RBW + 2x Air Slimmer 140 ARGB.
Should fit into the PSU location decently, might do a push-pull configuration, too.

If it doesnt work out, then I'm just going back to "normal" air cooling + the SF750. Also, its not really a waste of time, as those additional components would be used for my sleeper build instead

cu, w0lf

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

AIO arrived, and the installation documentation is ... lets say it in an euphemistic way: Sparse.
Even Arctic fans come with more detailed instructions

Aside of that, the amount of stuff included is immense: lots of brackets, large refill bottle (twice as much as eg. with the be quiet AIOs), huge packaging (probably reusing the one for the 280), a 8 fan ARGB hub + remote control, a fancy 140 mm ARGB fan NOT pre-installed .. and no AM5 mounting kit

Already sent a support request whether the AM4 installation is identical to the AM5 or if I need an additional mounting kit.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Still waiting for the HDPlex GaN. "in stock" must mean something like: Its SOMEWHERE in this VAST HUGE SPACE ..
.. acc. to the DHL tracking, somebody brought the package to the post office yesterday evening (read: NOT fetched by DHL as would be normal, but apparently brought to DHL themselves).

Supposedly the sender is a company located in Wuppertal, so lets hope its gonna travel those HUGE distance of approx 100 km (probably with a short detour via Cologne / Bonn, which is one of the main hubs for DHL) today, and maybe arrive tomorrow, but I dont think I'm that lucky, so maybe more like Friday or Saturday.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Meanwhile, I've prepared the GPU standoff mod.
Looks like as if its gonna be the same issue as with the S300: Only possible to mount the riser cable to one mounting screw, because the mounting position are not really exact .. or so.

This is with an RTX 4070, the S300 got an RTX 3050 (ITX sized). I wonder if this is intentional, or just a general miscalculation of the case designer.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Note about the build process:

First, I'm going to use the classic configuration, that is, SFX PSU + Air Cooled CPU. I'm going to install fans on top and if possible also on bottom and test the whole setup thoroughly - the same as with my LP Cooling tests.

Next, I'm going for the not-so-classic configuration, ie. HDPlex GaN + 140 mm AIO. Depending whether or not I need an additional AM5 mounting kit from Raijintek, I might also do a mixed configuration first, i.e. HDPlex GaN + Air Cooling.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

HDPlex GaN has arrived!

Now, there is even one more scenario: 140 mm AIO + HDPlex GaN in the A4-H2O.

1. The 140 mm AIO should - in theory- also fit at the space were normally the PSU would sit (similar to how I've planned it for the S400) - the one main advantage being: No additional middle divider - there is just the MB tray, but nothing else. I say "in theory", because I still got the 240 AIO installed and cannot easily remove it enough to completely prove this

2. The HDPlex GaN would either sit below the GPU or comfortable on top of the case, possibly covered by two slim fans, or maybe even one slim and a regular sized one

3. Rest of the setup is "normal", so GPU sits in the GPU side, MB sits where it sat before, too.

One advantage of the A4-H2O over the S400 clearly is the taller height, to allow for better airflow (even if the PSU is put on top, there is enough space to allow fans to pull out a lot of air).

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Current status: Waiting for the AM5 mounting kit to arrive. Was sent out today, so I'd guess its gonna take between 5 - 7 days.
AFAIK the actual transport is pretty quick, but the waiting times plus customs lengthen it up that much.

But we will see

Obviously, in Germany, nothing gets done on a weekend, so thats another thing. Oh, and next week is a national holiday, too. If I'm lucky, it might arrive next Friday

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Thermalright AXP120-X67 is installed. As usual, such a PITA to get their cooler mounting screws to finally "grab" the mounting brackets. Lots of smearing around of thermal paste involved. Its an okayish system I guess, as its being used with all of their coolers, including the AIOs, but I'd love to see something less annoying at some point.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Decided to get myself some copper. Ordered the X53. Gonna pair it with one of the noctuas I got sitting around (or just steal it from my D9L).

Should arrive on Wedneday. If I'm lucky, at the same time as the AM5 mounting kit for the AIO

On that topic: Looks like as if the HDPlex GaN 500 might only fit above the GPU. Needs proper mounting, too. Gravity doesnt like that trick

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

AXP 90-X53 Full Copper has arrived; but for now, we're gonna stick to the bigger cooler.

Also, after initial test, the case gets a bit toasty. Guess with a more massive line-up (vs. my harmless 13500 + RTX 3050 from before), the two fans on top are actually useful.

Going with a Kyze 120 Slim in front and a big oomph Arctic P12 Max in the back.

Might even be able to fit a 140 (SW 4 Pro or Silverstone Shark Force 140) in there. But probably need some kind of adapters for this.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Installed the top fan bracket with a 25 mm + a slim 15 mm fan. That is, an Arctic P12 Max and a Scythe Kaze 120 Slim.
Reusing the fan hub that comes with the Thermalright 240 AIO, as I already added magnetic tape to two sides of it.

Also did lots of fancy photos to be soon dumped in my blog, on insta and select ones also in here.

Insta is probably gonna happen sooner than anything else. Gonna share the post here when its up

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Looks like I only ever mentioned it in the base post, but yeah: The neodym magnet side panel mod is necessary here, too.

Apparently the AM5 sockets sit 1 - 2 mm taller than Intel 12/13/14th gen, so there is only about 65 mm space for the CPU cooler, vs. 67 mm as tested with my i5-13500 system.

And that is why I've bought the AXP90-X53 Full Copper. Probably installing it next week or so.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Some Insta goodness I posted a few days ago:


cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Update on the Orcus 140 RBW AM5 mounting kit: Tracking says its arrived at FRA airport yesterday (2024-10-06). Nobody works in Germany on a sunday (obviously not, but its an official no-work day for anyone but essentials, eg. air ports, public service, energy industry etc.).

Its already been added to the DHL tracking system, currently displayed as "awaiting more information", filed under "letter mailing" ("Maxi-Brief"), so its probably packaged in a padded air mail bag.

May or may not arrive tomorrow, but I guess its more like on Wednesday.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

As already mentioned in the starter post: For better downsizing, I may have to get a FlexATX PSU instead. The HDPlex GaN 500 has its power connector positioned to the back instead of top (basically like any other PSU), but that leads to it being too long to fit into exactly 202 mm of space (the PSU itself is exactly 200 mm).

Either I'm willing to do a mod similar to whats seen at RelaxingSFF and their "do an AliExpress case" challenge, or eg. help @Overtek to make some moneys (eg. with the new Enhance ENP 450W modular FlexATX PSU).

In the latter case, the GaN 500 would just be used for my ThinkCentre sleeper build

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

OT: Intel Arrow Lake be like: up to 250W!
Meanwhile AMD: Better than a 13900KS at 150W

And I'm like: Downsize to AXP90-X53 with 25 mm fan soon

Alas, still need to install OS. After reading up stuff, I've finally decided to go with EndeavourOS as the initial primary OS, and then install MX Linux whenever I feel like. Or just dual-boot my existing MX Install and upgrade it to the current changes. After all, I'm already using Liquorix anyway

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

It might be possible to move the AIO in an "above the PSU" position. Should be VERY snug fit - would involve removing the top "handle" part of the middle / mainboard frame, and probably cutting away a few parts to get room for the 140 mm fan, but might just work out.

That'd allow to keep using the current PSU.

On the other hand, I'm looking into the option of modifying the case of the HD Plex GaN so it might just fit into the front of the case. ALSO VERY SNUG: the case inner height is just about 20 cm, maybe 20.1ish, because the top and bottom frame are each about 1.8 - 2.2 mm.

But thats for after I've tested the AXP90-X53

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Lets spice things up: Pondering about doing an L450.

More vertical tower fun!

Yeah, I do realize there even isnt a L400 yet, but this plan would be kinda something like the spirit of the S450 and the L300 combined, hence L450

So I just did a test fit with 3x 140 mm Silent Wings stacked on each other, on top of my original S400 V2 case, and that still fits quite nicely into my "special" backpack. Those SWs are basically a mockup of the 140 AIO + 2x fans. Results in a 13L case, probably with much better cooling support than similar cases, eg. the Louqe Raw S1 or the Jonsbo V11.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Oh, and also a quick update on the temps: Wasnt a controlled test, but had several times with full CPU load (eg. kernel compilation, kwin doing its crashing crashy dance etc.), and the temps stayed at 69° C max.

Lets see how the temps gonna turn out with the X53 Full Copper .. somewhere in the next 2 weeks or so.
System is completely prepared, so I might just do this in the next few days, to be done with it before the next move (of systems). Got several 92 mm fans to choose from (Noctua, Scythe, Be Quiet).

At some point, I'd really like to test one of the nastier ones, eg. that one by Pabst, with up to 3200 rpm and 60 CFM. Max noise level supposedly 39 db

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Quick update on the temps with the AXP120-x67 + Ryzen 9 7950X (105W Eco mode): Stress test CPU only stuck under 70° C.
Mixed temps: 55° C (could probaly get it below 52° C if I'd fine-tune the top fans, cause its an Air Slimmer 120 + Artic P12 Max).

Next step: Replace the AXP120 with the AXP90-X53 Full Copper.

After that: Try out a different case, and depending on its performance, might switch to it for the workstation

cu, w0lf.